Comments on: Diminutive http://www.saltshaker.net/20090228/diminutive Casting a little flavor (and a few aspersions) on the world of food, drink, and life Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:16:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: dan http://www.saltshaker.net/20090228/diminutive/comment-page-1#comment-183092 dan Fri, 15 May 2009 12:21:03 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/?p=2015#comment-183092 It's an interesting thing that I've seen in more than one place here - "paired wine tasting" doesn't seem to mean the same thing I'm used to back in the States. There, it's usually a small taste of a wine to go with each course, or if it's a really long tasting menu, say 9-10 courses, a wine to go with, say, every two courses. Here it often comes down to more or less "here's a white to go with your lighter stuff and a red to go with the heavier stuff, can I go now?" That's more cultural I think than the place, it's just not something that until recently anyone had done in any restaurant here - locals who come to my place often comment initially that our pours are rather small, until they get that we're pouring a new glass every course, which surprises them. Plus, we don't say no to refills if someone wants more of one or another wine in particular. As to the photos, were you using a flash? I've learned not to in most restaurants, it does tend to annoy fellow diners. If not, I don't think they have any grounds to stand on (this discussion has been had before on my blog and others) - as far as I'm concerned, and I'm happy to say it to the server or manager who reprimands, if I have to pay for the food, it's mine to take photos of. If you want to comp me the meal, you can tell me not to photograph it. It’s an interesting thing that I’ve seen in more than one place here – “paired wine tasting” doesn’t seem to mean the same thing I’m used to back in the States. There, it’s usually a small taste of a wine to go with each course, or if it’s a really long tasting menu, say 9-10 courses, a wine to go with, say, every two courses. Here it often comes down to more or less “here’s a white to go with your lighter stuff and a red to go with the heavier stuff, can I go now?” That’s more cultural I think than the place, it’s just not something that until recently anyone had done in any restaurant here – locals who come to my place often comment initially that our pours are rather small, until they get that we’re pouring a new glass every course, which surprises them. Plus, we don’t say no to refills if someone wants more of one or another wine in particular.

As to the photos, were you using a flash? I’ve learned not to in most restaurants, it does tend to annoy fellow diners. If not, I don’t think they have any grounds to stand on (this discussion has been had before on my blog and others) – as far as I’m concerned, and I’m happy to say it to the server or manager who reprimands, if I have to pay for the food, it’s mine to take photos of. If you want to comp me the meal, you can tell me not to photograph it.

]]> By: skampy http://www.saltshaker.net/20090228/diminutive/comment-page-1#comment-183072 skampy Fri, 15 May 2009 04:19:16 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/?p=2015#comment-183072 i was reprimanded for taking photos of the food, so i didn't get anything beyond the shrimp amuse bouche. but despite that, i left thinking this was the best meal i've ever eaten in buenos aires. highly recommended...though i think 2 glasses of wine (even though they were heavy pours) with the 6 course tasting menu is a bit weak. 3 slightly lighter pours would have been ideal, i think, given the amount of food being served. i was reprimanded for taking photos of the food, so i didn’t get anything beyond the shrimp amuse bouche. but despite that, i left thinking this was the best meal i’ve ever eaten in buenos aires. highly recommended…though i think 2 glasses of wine (even though they were heavy pours) with the 6 course tasting menu is a bit weak. 3 slightly lighter pours would have been ideal, i think, given the amount of food being served.

]]> By: dan http://www.saltshaker.net/20090228/diminutive/comment-page-1#comment-179193 dan Mon, 02 Mar 2009 09:42:56 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/?p=2015#comment-179193 My guess, and it is only that, but with a bit of experience behind it, is that these guys have been having it drilled into them, probably daily, that they, and the restaurant, are something special that will only be appreciated by some... or "the right kind" of people, and they're making judgments on sight about whether or not one party or another fits that definition. They need to stop and realize that anyone who goes to the trouble to track this place down, given that it's new (as best I know I may be the first review they've gotten, I haven't seen one anywhere else), and that anyone who is going to spring for the price level ought to be treated that way - not to mention that really, as we know, a truly good restaurant treats everyone as special, even if someone comes in for whom this is a once in a lifetime splurge, they ought to be made to feel like they belong there. My guess, and it is only that, but with a bit of experience behind it, is that these guys have been having it drilled into them, probably daily, that they, and the restaurant, are something special that will only be appreciated by some… or “the right kind” of people, and they’re making judgments on sight about whether or not one party or another fits that definition. They need to stop and realize that anyone who goes to the trouble to track this place down, given that it’s new (as best I know I may be the first review they’ve gotten, I haven’t seen one anywhere else), and that anyone who is going to spring for the price level ought to be treated that way – not to mention that really, as we know, a truly good restaurant treats everyone as special, even if someone comes in for whom this is a once in a lifetime splurge, they ought to be made to feel like they belong there.

]]> By: Ken Sternberg http://www.saltshaker.net/20090228/diminutive/comment-page-1#comment-179186 Ken Sternberg Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:12:19 +0000 http://www.saltshaker.net/?p=2015#comment-179186 Oh! I want some rabbit ravioli! The food at this joint sounds and looks extremely delicious and of high quality ingredients. Pity about the staff's attitude. you've got good friends, Dan. Even in dollars, $105 is no tawdry sum per person. Oh! I want some rabbit ravioli! The food at this joint sounds and looks extremely delicious and of high quality ingredients. Pity about the staff’s attitude. you’ve got good friends, Dan. Even in dollars, $105 is no tawdry sum per person.

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